Condenser Cleaning System

ABSTRACT

A condenser cleaning system comprises of a cleaning unit with a mounting flange which is used to securely place the cleaning unit in between a condenser and a mesh. The mesh is placed on the cleaning unit using a bent edge. The cleaning unit has a cleaner that moves over a plurality of heat exchange fins of the condenser removing debris and the cleaner also moves over the mesh removing debris. 
     As the cleaner, preferably in a form of a brush roller, moves over the plurality of heat exchange fins, the cleaner displaces debris collected on the plurality of heat exchange fins.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a dust cleaning device that cleans dust and other undesirables attached to the heat exchange fins and the mesh on a condenser unit. Clean heat exchanges fins and mesh covering the condenser unit improves the airflow for improved heat exchange. Condensers are used in showcases, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners and other heat exchange devices.

Showcase, freezer, refrigerator, etc. are devices for storing food at a low temperature so as to prevent the food from decaying, using the heat of vaporization of refrigerant such as Freon to perform a heat exchange in the condenser to release the heat of vaporization. Here, in order to increase the efficiency of the heat exchange, a twisted condensing tube and a plurality of heat exchange fins formed on the condensing tube are blown with by cold air by a ventilating fan.

The condenser tube and heat exchange fins usually collects a lot of debris and small stuffs such as dust from outside due to the ventilation. Unfortunately the condenser tube and heat exchange fins are for increased efficiency of condenser by promoting greater heat exchange, and such dusts causes the performance of heat exchange to decrease significantly, causing the compressor break down.

In order to improve such problems, a device of removing bad smell from air-conditioner was suggested in the Korean Patent Application 10-0218460, which forms a spraying tube connected to a medicine container on a top portion of the vaporizer and having a nozzle, and cleansing was performed through killing germs by a medicine mixed with cleaning water and cleaning by spraying of the cleaning water, by spraying the cleaning water in the medicine container by closing and opening valve by control signals.

However, the spraying of cleaning water had problems that the spraying power of the sprayer is weak, and it could not spray the cleaning water in a spraying power and into between the heat exchange fins, which can remove dust stuck strongly or between the narrowly-spaced heat exchange fins.

Additionally, an air-filter automatic cleaning device in another Korean Patent Application 10-1997-0047263 had a filter wired in an endless track form connected to a cleaning brush driven by a driving motor engage with a condenser, such that the filter rotated and cleaned dust off the surface of the condenser and increased the efficiency by spraying cleaning water from the brush, facilitating the cleaning.

The filter in such a structure performed just cleaning of the surface of condenser through friction, but could not clean and remove dust stuck between the heat exchange fins of the condenser.

Also, since the filter of endless track type was prone to be worn out easily and cut out frequently, it could not be used for an extended time period, the filter formed with textile fabric or unwoven fabric was always present together with moisture due to the cleaning water, such that it provided an environment of bad smells and dirtiness due to inhabitation and multiplication of bacterial germs enabled by the moisture.

Accordingly, a need for a cleaning device for condenser has been present for a long time considering the expansive demands in the everyday life. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device for cleaning dust off a condenser of a refrigerator.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a cleaning device, which the cleaning brush is configured to rotate and cleans both heat exchange fins and a mesh simultaneously.

A condenser cleaning system comprises of a cleaning unit with a mounting flange which is used to securely place the cleaning unit in between a condenser and a mesh that is placed on the cleaning unit using a bent edge. The cleaning unit has a cleaner that moves over a plurality of heat exchange fins of the condenser removing debris and the cleaner also moves over the mesh removing debris.

The plurality of heat exchange fins are attached to a condensing tube. As the cleaner moves over the plurality of heat exchange fins, the cleaner displaces debris collected on the plurality of heat exchange fins. Although it is preferable to have the cleaner move along the lengths of the plurality of heat exchange fins, it is possible to have the cleaner move against the lengths of the plurality of heat exchange fins.

A motor attached to the cleaner moves the cleaner on one or more tracks of the cleaning unit and may also roll the cleaner. Tracks may have grooves so the cleaner moves along the tracks as the cleaner rotates cleaning both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the surface of mesh. Alternate embodiment may have the cleaner not rotating as it moves up and down within the cleaning unit.

The mesh is mounted on the cleaning unit covering the cleaning unit so that the cleaning unit with the cleaner is in between the mesh and the plurality of heat exchange fins. U.S. Pat. No. 9,593,895, by Kim, discloses the use of a cleaning brush that brushes debris off the plurality of heat exchange fins and also discloses the use of a cleaning brush that brushes debris off the mesh which is over the plurality of heat exchange fins. When the mesh is in between the plurality of heat exchange fins and the cleaner, although some fibers or bristles of the cleaner (such as brush) may reach the plurality of heat exchange fins through the mesh, the overall cleaning effectiveness of the plurality of heat exchange fins is limited.

In contrast, the present embodiments have the cleaner sandwiched in between the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh, so the cleaner (the bristles of the cleaner when brush is used) simultaneously or alternatingly cleans both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh to their most cleanliness, enhancing the efficiency of the condenser.

A variation embodiment may have a brush have two independent brushes (or a single brush) with a plurality of bristles that may be turned toward the plurality of heat exchange fins or may be turned toward the mesh so that the plurality of bristles clean the plurality of heat exchange fins or the mesh alternatingly as the brush moves along the one or more tracks. A switch or the motor may be used to alternatingly turn the brush toward the plurality of heat exchange fins or toward the mesh.

The cleaner may be made of various materials, such as cloth, microfiber, sponge, bristles, fingers, hairs and other materials, but a round brush may provide the best utility. Thus, a brush with a plurality of bristles protruding simultaneously toward both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh is used to clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously when the brush moves along the one or more tracks. As mentioned, the brush that is a roller, including, but not limited to, a cylinder or even a polygon-shaped-edged block-shaped brush, so that the plurality of bristles are radially protruding is believed to be the best in cleaning both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously. AS a roller brush is used, driven by the motor, the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously with preferably a rotating action.

Because it is possible that the cleaner, in between the plurality of bristles, collect debris itself, the cleaning unit may also comprise a dust scraper having a comb-shaped protrusions attached to the cleaning unit and in contact with the plurality of bristles to remove any debris off the roller as the roller rotates to maintain the plurality of bristles clean. The comb-shaped protrusions are attached to two ends of the roller to maintain the comb-shaped protrusions at a predetermined distance from the center of the roller. The distance between the comb-shaped protrusions and the center of the roller may be adjustable of fixed. The dust scraper may not have comb-shaped protrusions as an alternate design.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, a better understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the condenser cleaning system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cleaning unit mounted on the condenser;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view from the top of the cleaning unit and the condenser showing the cleaner cleaning the plurality of heat exchange fins;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the mesh covering the cleaning unit;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cleaner cleaned by the dust scraper;

FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of a cleaner engaging both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh; and

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of a cleaner that is a round brush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a condenser cleaning system 10 comprising a cleaning unit 15 with a mounting flange 20 that is used to securely place the cleaning unit in between a condenser 25 and a mesh 30. The mesh 30 is placed on the cleaning unit using a bent edge 35. The cleaning unit has a cleaner 40 that moves over a plurality of heat exchange fins 45 of the condenser removing debris and the cleaner also moves over the mesh removing debris.

The plurality of heat exchange fins are attached to a condensing tube 50 and the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 are parallelly aligned so that the cleaner may slidably move along the length of the plurality of heat exchange fins 45. Although the FIG. 1 shows the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 are vertically laid, it is possible to have the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 laid horizontally. When the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 are vertically laid, in the direction of the cleaner 40 moving up and down the cleaning unit 15, the cleaner 40 may clean both surfaces of the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 better. In other words, although it is preferable to have the cleaner 40 move along the lengths of the plurality of heat exchange fins 45, it is possible to have the cleaner 40 move against the lengths of the plurality of heat exchange fins 45. As the cleaner 40 moves over the plurality of heat exchange fins 45, the cleaner 40 displaces debris collected on the plurality of heat exchange fins 45.

FIG. 2 shows the cleaning unit 15 with two mounting flanges 20 attached to the condenser 25. The mounting flanges 20 at two ends of the cleaning unit 15 are used to securely hold the cleaning unit 15 to the condenser 25.

A motor 55 is attached to the cleaner 40 moves the cleaner 40 on one or more tracks 60 of the cleaning unit 15. Tracks 60 may have grooves 65 so the cleaner 40 moves along the tracks 65 as the cleaner 40 rotates cleaning both the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the surface of mesh 30 (not shown in FIG. 2; see FIGS. 4 and 6). Different embodiments may use other means of moving the motor on the tracks 60, as well as other means of moving the cleaner 40 up and down, left and right across the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh 30.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, the mesh 30 is mounted on the cleaning unit 15 covering the cleaning unit 15 so that the cleaning unit 15 with the cleaner 40 is in between the mesh 30 and the plurality of heat exchange fins 45. Because the cleaner 40 is sandwiched in between the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh (30), the cleaner 40 simultaneously cleans both the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh 30 to their most cleanliness, enhancing the efficiency of the condenser 25.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away view from the top of the cleaning unit 15 and the condenser 25 showing the cleaner40 cleaning the plurality of heat exchange fins 45. In FIG. 3, the cleaner 40 is a brush 70 (40) with a plurality of bristles 75 that are always in contact with the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh 30. However, a different embodiment may use a brush 45 that has a set of bristles 75 that are alternatingly turned toward the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 or turned toward the mesh 30 so that the plurality of bristles 75 clean the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 or the mesh 30 alternatingly as the brush 70 moves along the one or more tracks 60 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 5).

The cleaner may be made of various materials, such as cloth, microfiber, sponge and other materials, but a round brush 80 which is a roller 80 may provide the best utility. Thus, a brush 70 with a plurality of bristles 75 protruding simultaneously toward both the plurality of heat exchange fins 46 and the mesh 30 is used to clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh 30 simultaneously when the brush moves along the one or more tracks. As mentioned, the brush 70 that is a roller 80 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5-7) so that the plurality of bristles 75 are radially protruding is believed to be the best in cleaning both the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh 30 simultaneously. AS a brush roller 80 is used, driven by the motor, the plurality of bristles 75 clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh 30 simultaneously with a rotating action.

Because it is possible that the cleaner 30, in its in between the plurality of bristles 75, collect debris itself, the cleaning 15 unit may also comprise a dust scraper 85 having a comb-shaped protrusions 90 attached to the cleaning unit 15 and in contact with the plurality of bristles 76 to remove any debris off the roller 80 as the roller 80 rotates to maintain the plurality of bristles 75 clean. The comb-shaped protrusions 90 are attached to two ends of the roller 95 to maintain the comb-shaped protrusions 90 at a predetermined distance from the center of the roller 100 (shown in FIG. 6). The distance between the comb-shaped protrusions 90 and the center of the roller 100 may be adjustable.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the mesh 30 covering the cleaning unit 15. As shown in FIG. 4, the mesh 30 may be a fine mesh 105 as depicted on the right side of the mesh 30 or a grill 110 as depicted on the left upper side of the mesh 30. The mesh 30 is preferably made of aluminum or stainless steel to prevent corrosion, but may be made of other materials, including but not limited to, plastic or steel. The mesh 30 has the bent edge 35 that is used to securely hold the mesh 30 to the cleaning unit 15.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cleaning unit 15 having a dust scraper 85 with a plurality of comb-shaped protrusions 90 that is used to clean the cleaner 40 (and its plurality of bristles 75, when the bristles are used in an embodiment). FIG. 5 also shows the tracks 60 on which the cleaner 40 moves along using the grooves 65. Although the tracks 60 with the grooves 65 are used in this embodiment, the invention is not limited to the use of tracks 60 and/or grooves 65, as other conventional moving a roller along a track means may be used, including but not limited to, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 9,593,895.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of a cleaner 40 engaging both the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and the mesh 30. The plurality of bristles 75 of the roller 80 (the cleaner 40) extend in between the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and extend in and through the mesh 30. As the center of the roller 100 is rotated by the motor 55 (shown in FIG. 2), the plurality of bristles 75 rotate and wipes off any debris collected on the plurality of heat exchange fins 45 and wipes off any debris collected on the mesh 30.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a cleaner 40 that is a round brush 70 in the form of a roller 80. The plurality of bristles 75 radially extends out forming the roller 80.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. In addition, although this invention describes a condenser 25 used in refrigerators or freezers, the invention and the scope of the claims are not limited to the refrigerators and freezers and other food related industry, but also air conditioners and other heat exchangers having heat transfer fins 45. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A condenser cleaning system comprising a cleaning unit mounted in between a condenser and a mesh, wherein the cleaning unit comprises of a cleaner that moves over a plurality of heat exchange fins of the condenser removing debris and the cleaner also moves over the mesh removing debris.
 2. The condenser cleaning system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of heat exchange fins are attached to a condensing tube.
 3. The condenser cleaning system of claim 2 wherein the cleaning unit comprises of a motor that moves the cleaner on one of more tracks on the cleaning unit.
 4. The condenser cleaning system of claim 3 wherein the mesh is mounted on the cleaning unit covering the cleaning unit.
 5. The condenser cleaning system of claim 4 wherein the cleaner is a brush with a plurality of bristles that may be turned toward the plurality of heat exchange fins or may be turned toward the mesh so that the plurality of bristles clean the plurality of heat exchange fins or the mesh alternatingly as the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 6. The condenser cleaning system of claim 4 wherein cleaner is a brush with a plurality of bristles protruding simultaneously toward both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh so that the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously when the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 7. The condenser cleaning system of claim 6 wherein the brush is a roller so that the plurality of bristles are radially protruding so that the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously when the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 8. The condenser cleaning system of claim 7 wherein the roller rotates, driven by the motor, so that the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously with a rotating action when the brush moves along the one or more tracks when the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 9. The condenser cleaning system of claim 8 wherein the cleaning unit further comprises of a comb-shaped protrusions attached to the cleaning unit and in contact with the plurality of bristles to remove any debris off the roller as the roller rotates to maintain the plurality of bristles clean.
 10. The condenser cleaning system of claim 9 wherein the comb-shaped protrusions are attached to two ends of the roller.
 11. A condenser cleaning system comprising a cleaning unit with a mounting flange, wherein the mounting flange securely places the cleaning unit in between a condenser and a mesh, wherein the mesh has a bent edge that places the mesh securely on the cleaning unit, and wherein the cleaning unit comprises of a cleaner that moves over a plurality of heat exchange fins of the condenser removing debris and the cleaner also moves over the mesh removing debris.
 12. The condenser cleaning system of claim 11 wherein the plurality of heat exchange fins are attached to a condensing tube.
 13. The condenser cleaning system of claim 12 wherein the cleaning unit comprises of a motor that moves the cleaner on one of more tracks on the cleaning unit.
 14. The condenser cleaning system of claim 13 wherein the mesh is mounted on the cleaning unit covering the cleaning unit.
 15. The condenser cleaning system of claim 14 wherein cleaner is a brush with a plurality of bristles that may be turned toward the plurality of heat exchange fins or may be turned toward the mesh so that the plurality of bristles clean the plurality of heat exchange fins or the mesh alternatingly as the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 16. The condenser cleaning system of claim 14 wherein the cleaner is a brush with a plurality of bristles protruding simultaneously toward both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh so that the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously when the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 17. The condenser cleaning system of claim 16 wherein the brush is a roller so that the plurality of bristles are radially protruding so that the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously when the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 18. The condenser cleaning system of claim 17 wherein the roller rotates, driven by the motor, so that the plurality of bristles clean both the plurality of heat exchange fins and the mesh simultaneously with a rotating action when the brush moves along the one or more tracks when the brush moves along the one or more tracks.
 19. The condenser cleaning system of claim 18 wherein the cleaning unit further comprises of a comb-shaped protrusions attached to the cleaning unit and in contact with the plurality of bristles to remove any debris off the roller as the roller rotates to maintain the plurality of bristles clean.
 20. The condenser cleaning system of claim 19 wherein the comb-shaped protrusions are attached to two ends of the roller. 